Picture frame



Patented June 4, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in picture frames. One object is to provide a picture frame made wholly of glass and entirely without the use of nails or like fastening means. A further object is to provide a picture frame that is attractive in appearance, that is easy to clean, that does not collect dust readily and one that lends itself readily to quantity manufacture and to quick and easy assembly.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter fully described, pointed out in the claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this patent, and in which- Fig. 1 is a View in front elevation of a picture frame illustrating an embodiment of the invenn tion.

Fig. 2 is a View in elevational perspective of the picture frame shown in Fig. l disclosing the back or reverse side thereof.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View, enlarged, through the frame illustrated in Fig. 1 and is taken on the line 3--3 thereof, the central portion being broken away.

Fig. 4 is an horizontal sectional view, enlarged, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and,

Fig, 5 is a fragmentary View in perspective showing a portion of one of the flexible strips of glass blocks employed.

Like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The reference numeral l denotes a sheet of glass or other transparent material that forms a eld for the picture, the field in the present instance being oblong in shape although such colored glass, the colors being so selected and shape is in no manner essential, as any desired Y shape may be provided.

Adhesively secured to said field upon the rear face thereof is the picture (not shown) with its face against the glass, the edges of the picture being glued thereto, the reverse side having glued thereto the back 2 preferably made of cardboard or like material, said cardboard being co-extensive with said field. Received marginally upon the front face of the eld l are the flexible strips 3 of transparent or mirror glass, each strip consisting of a ribbon of paper 4 to which a plurality of juxtaposed preferably oblong uniform blocks 5 of glass are adhesively secured as by glue or like material, said ribbon 4 being likewise secured to said eld. The said blocks 5 of glass may be transparent as above stated or they may be of arranged as to provide sharp contrast or reflection, the several blocks 5 are placed at right angles to the length of the ribbon 4 and extend completely thereacross, a ribbon being parallel and flush with that margin or edge of the field to which it is applied.

Disposed upon the blocks 5 and adhesively secured thereto are the marginal strips 6 the outer edges thereof being flush with the corresponding edge of the field and with the outer ends of said blocks y5, said marginal strips being of a width substantially half the length of the blocks. From the field outwardly across the border of the frame an upwardly stepped eifect is presented with relation to the eld. Extending lengthwise of the frame is the strap l, the ends thereof being adhesively secured to the back 2 and passed about the edges of the same and of the field and between the latter and the ribbon 4 and thereto adhered.

Without further description it is thought that the features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and it will, of course, be understood that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to, Without departing from the spirit of the invention or its scope as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a picture frame, a transparent sheet` a border of ornamental glass blocks placed edge to edge marginally of said sheet and extending inwardly from the edge thereof, and glass strips disposed lengthwise upon said blocks, said strips being of less Width than the length of said blocks so that they are in stepped formation, the picture being held against the rear of said transparent sheet and exposed between said blocks.

2. In a picture frame, a glass sheet, a border of ornamental glass blocks placed edge to edge marginally of said sheet and extending inwardly from the edge thereof, and glass strips disposed lengthwise upon said blocks, said strips being of less width than the length of said blocks so that they are in stepped formation, the outer edges of said blocks and strips being ush with each other and with said glass sheet, said strips and blocks being of different colors, the picture being held against the rear of said glass sheet and exposed between said blocks.

WILLIAM MARTIN. 

